IBM Corp. said it built a wireless data network in Fresno, Calif., for the police department that will allow officers to transmit text, images and videos via in-vehicle computers and personal digital assistants. The microwave transmission network works in the 900 MHz frequency band.
“To optimize the effectiveness of our law enforcement professionals, we need to enhance their ability to access and use information in an efficient and timely fashion,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer. “The system provides the communication backbone that will allow all of our personnel to do so and to make informed decisions more quickly.”
The network will allow officers to download mug shots and live streaming video of suspects and unfolding police situations, transmit crime scene images back to headquarters, access law enforcement databases to receive and transmit vital information, and file police reports. IBM said the system could also be upgraded to a regionwide communications web linking numerous police, fire, ambulance and other first responder units.
The system replaces the Fresno Police Department’s 800 MHz system designed for data communication, which lacks encryption capability and is too slow to handle new data types like video.
